Golden West preparing for ‘Shadowlands’
Tom Titus
Director Tom Amen calls his latest project “a celebration of
courage and faith.” It’s the fact-based drama “Shadowlands,” which
auditions next week at Golden West College.
“‘Shadowlands’ is a moving, delicate story of a man who chooses
suffering over safety,” Amen said. “It is the story of a romance
against all odds. Poignant, powerful and intelligently written,
‘Shadowlands’ is a moving testament to the transforming and
transcendent power of love.”
Amen will hold tryouts Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the
college’s Mainstage Theater for two women 25 to 45 years old, six
men, 25 to 65, and a boy in the 8- to 10-year-old range.
The play is gleaned from the life of author C.S. Lewis, who found
romance in his later years only to experience tragedy. It was
produced several years ago at South Coast Repertory, its only local
staging to date.
Amen calls “Shadowlands” a very accessible play.
“One need not be familiar with the work of C.S. Lewis to be
captivated by this story,” he said. “Prior to deciding to direct the
play, I knew little of Lewis’ work beyond his fantasy saga, ‘The
Chronicles of Narnia.’
“In addition, there is no particular affinity between my own
understanding of the universe and Lewis’ well-documented religious
beliefs,” he said. “And yet, I have elected to direct a play about
one of the most intimate aspects of this man’s life.”
For Amen, the attraction was simple.
“It was the sheer power and beauty of the story that drew me to
this play, rather than any extensive knowledge of Lewis as a writer,
nor any particular identification with his spiritual beliefs,” he
said. “It was the fact that Lewis was a good man, a man courageous
enough to love fully and to love well, in spite of the emotional
risks involved.
“Furthermore, it was the fact that Lewis was a man who possessed
deep personal convictions, coupled with the integrity to stand up for
those convictions,” Amen said. “He had a voice and he used it.
“These very simple and admirable, yet increasingly rare qualities
were enough to earn my respect for Lewis, and more than enough to
ignite my desire to tell his story.”
“Shadowlands” will be presented from Feb. 28 through March 15 in
the college’s main theater. Call the director at (714) 892-7711, ext.
55237, for additional information.
* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.
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